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UNCW tops College of Charleston behind Phillips' pitching

Published: Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 10:18 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 10:18 p.m.

Evan Phillips is settling down and learning to trust his pitches. He took that confident, yet relaxed attitude into his third college start on Tuesday night and delivered six strong innings as UNCW defeated College of Charleston 7-2 in baseball action at Brooks Field.

Phillips (2-0) allowed one earned run and escaped a jam in the sixth inning as the Seahawks won for the 10th time in 11 games. He struck out five, walked four and surrendered four hits.

“He pounded the bottom third of the strike zone with his fastball,” UNCW coach Mark Scalf said. “His breaking ball he struggled to find early, but he mixed in some changeups.”

Strong pitching has defined UNCW (21-8) since opening day. Phillips’ performance combined with another strong outing from the bullpen means the Seahawks have given up three earned runs in the last 36 innings.

UNCW catcher Drew Farber, who drove in two runs with a single in the fourth inning, said Phillips has taken notice of weekend starters Mat Batts and Jordan Ramsey and copied their mentality to become more consistent.

“The big difference from his previous starts was then he kind of tried to throw the hell out of the ball,” Farber said. “Tonight, he was pitching like a pitcher. Like he wanted to go the whole game.”

Phillips, a freshman, found trouble in the sixth. Charleston (16-12) had runners on the corners with one out, but Phillips struck out Blake Butler, and after a walk loaded the bases, got pinch hitter Carl Wise to fly out to center field.

“I just did what I had to do, made some good pitches on the inside corner of the plate,” Phillips said.

With a deep, competitive staff, each UNCW pitcher knows he must perform when given the opportunity. Phillips has allowed only two earned runs in his last nine innings over two appearances by not trying to do too much.

“When runners got on base he didn’t allow the game to speed up tonight,” Scalf said. “He stayed calm, stayed under control and trusted his stuff.”

Hunter Ridge also drove in two runs for the Seahawks, who capitalized on nine walks, including four by losing pitcher Ryan West (2-1).

No. 33 UNCW helped its resume for an at-large bid to an NCAA Regional by notching a victory over the Cougars, who were No. 38 in Tuesday’s Ratings Percentage Index (RPI).

They have an even greater opportunity – and challenge - on Wednesday night when top-ranked North Carolina comes to Brooks Field at 6 p.m.

Scalf has a full bullpen arsenal ready and told his team not to worry about the Tar Heels’ lofty ranking.

“If we play the game the way it’s designed to be played … it doesn’t matter what name is on the other uniform,” Scalf said. “Hopefully tomorrow night we can pay attention to the process. Our concentration level’s got to be better. Tonight it wasn’t good. We missed several signs, and that can’t happen.”

<p>Evan Phillips is settling down and learning to trust his pitches. He took that confident, yet relaxed attitude into his third college start on Tuesday night and delivered six strong innings as <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic71"><b>UNCW</b></a> defeated College of Charleston 7-2 in baseball action at Brooks Field.</p><p>Phillips (2-0) allowed one earned run and escaped a jam in the sixth inning as the Seahawks won for the 10th time in 11 games. He struck out five, walked four and surrendered four hits.</p><p>“He pounded the bottom third of the strike zone with his fastball,” UNCW coach Mark Scalf said. “His breaking ball he struggled to find early, but he mixed in some changeups.”</p><p>Strong pitching has defined UNCW (21-8) since opening day. Phillips' performance combined with another strong outing from the bullpen means the Seahawks have given up three earned runs in the last 36 innings.</p><p>UNCW catcher Drew Farber, who drove in two runs with a single in the fourth inning, said Phillips has taken notice of weekend starters Mat Batts and Jordan Ramsey and copied their mentality to become more consistent.</p><p>“The big difference from his previous starts was then he kind of tried to throw the hell out of the ball,” Farber said. “Tonight, he was pitching like a pitcher. Like he wanted to go the whole game.”</p><p>Phillips, a freshman, found trouble in the sixth. Charleston (16-12) had runners on the corners with one out, but Phillips struck out Blake Butler, and after a walk loaded the bases, got pinch hitter Carl Wise to fly out to center field.</p><p>“I just did what I had to do, made some good pitches on the inside corner of the plate,” Phillips said. </p><p>With a deep, competitive staff, each UNCW pitcher knows he must perform when given the opportunity. Phillips has allowed only two earned runs in his last nine innings over two appearances by not trying to do too much.</p><p>“When runners got on base he didn't allow the game to speed up tonight,” Scalf said. “He stayed calm, stayed under control and trusted his stuff.”</p><p>Hunter Ridge also drove in two runs for the Seahawks, who capitalized on nine walks, including four by losing pitcher Ryan West (2-1).</p><p>No. 33 UNCW helped its resume for an at-large bid to an NCAA Regional by notching a victory over the Cougars, who were No. 38 in Tuesday's Ratings Percentage Index (RPI).</p><p>They have an even greater opportunity – and challenge - on Wednesday night when top-ranked North Carolina comes to Brooks Field at 6 p.m.</p><p>Scalf has a full bullpen arsenal ready and told his team not to worry about the Tar Heels' lofty ranking.</p><p>“If we play the game the way it's designed to be played … it doesn't matter what name is on the other uniform,” Scalf said. “Hopefully tomorrow night we can pay attention to the process. Our concentration level's got to be better. Tonight it wasn't good. We missed several signs, and that can't happen.”</p><p><i></p><p><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic94"><b>Brian Mull</b></a>: 343-2034</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @BGMull</i></p>